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Sink or Swim (Meta Cryptic, See Instructions)
◆ · By Leigh · Published 2021-12-28T18:54:17.069Z
Meta Prompt
See below for full explanation of puzzle and meta
In the central 5x5 diagram, one letter from each column has floated up out of the grid and into the space above, where it forms part of an appropriate word at 1A. Meanwhile, another letter from each column has sunk down out of the grid and into the space below, forming part of a similarly appropriate word at 9A. It is necessary to determine and properly move these letters in order to make the Down answers fit into the diagram.
But that's not all! The ten unchecked, circled letters in the central diagram can be rearranged to form two five letter words that serve as the answers to the following clues:
-
Internally agree to welcome newcomers
-
Sharp sound of tin joint
These two words are the answer to the meta puzzle (submit both words, in either order, with or without a space in between - the answer is not case-sensitive). However, solving them early may prove helpful in completing the main puzzle.
Good luck! Don't be discouraged - the grid is tough, but most of the clues are quite easy.
Checking for previous play data...
Leaderboard (updated hourly)
- kieranjboyd solved 2021-12-28T20:30:10.944Z
- calica solved 2021-12-28T20:58:13.851Z
- Deusovi solved 2021-12-28T22:13:46.327Z
- andeux solved 2021-12-28T22:40:59.390Z
- sus solved 2021-12-28T22:47:18.461Z
- wisprabbit solved 2021-12-29T00:02:36.032Z
- AuLeaf solved 2021-12-29T05:28:04.403Z
- wolf solved 2021-12-29T07:16:50.409Z
- jay solved 2022-01-13T07:02:48.478Z
Comments
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- This puzzle is so cool and also so out of my league
- In truth I fear it might be out of everyone's league including my own if I were the solver - but I'm hopeful someone will nail it :)
- calica 🤓29:59 · 2021-12-28T21:00:01.391ZThat was amazing! As you can tell it took me a while (and a nutrimatic query to get "styrene" from "seven letters, ends in rene") but definitely very difficult
- Very glad you enjoyed it, and that you got there in the end! Congrats on being the only full solver so far :)
- (Whoops, I numbered those wrong in that comment, should be 2D through 6D)
- For those who revealed the solution but might still be unclear on the actual answers to the down clues before the light and heavy letters are moved, they are:1D - SLATHER2D - INERTIA3D - LAGGING4D - KVETCHY5D - STYRENE
- what an absolute bruiser of a puzzle! Very pleased with myself for solving it. My solve time shows ten minutes but it was more like three hours in real time. Very satisfying when it all comes together. Great puzzle!
- Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that the result was satisfying. It's my first foray into puzzles this complex, and I hope to make more in future.
- AuLeaf 🤓5:58 · 2021-12-29T05:31:15.085ZCute puzzle :)
1A
(See Instructions - press pause button to review them)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Across
- 1A(See Instructions - press pause button to review them)
- 2ASimilar kinds of people wearing small fancy clothes (5)
- 7ARage, rage, rages about nothing at first (5)
- 8ABanal Tuesday ritual (5)
- 9A(See Instructions)
Down
- 2DLiberally spread salt mixture on the trimmed piece of roast (7)
- 3DStrangely, I retain the tendency to resist change (7)
- 4DWithout fail, languishing at the back of the pack (7)
- 5DA thousand opposing (and more) has your leaders tending to complain (7)
- 6DPlastic dump starts to release elevated noxious emissions (7)
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